Preview
November 16, 2001— Costa Rica
Dozens of monkeys jumping from tree to tree and the sweet smell of the Pacific salt air welcome the racers to the beautiful resort setting — and the final opportunity to tune the bike, load up on a heavy carb dinner, fit in a calming swim and receive final direction from La Ruta organizers.
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"I hope you all make it alive," [our guide] said as he made sure to point out all of the things to be worried about - from the searing heat, to the crocodile pits, to the active volcano that sits smack in the middle of the route....." |
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We had left New York at 3:15am on Tuesday morning, only to arrive at the airport to endure long lines of intense security check-ins, made the trip to Costa Rica feel almost like the trip the Conquistadores took so many years ago - long, to say the least. But all the anxiety quickly subsided upon arrival in Costa Rica.
Our first stop, Hotel Don Fadrique, where riders from around the world unpacked their various bike parts and set to work for the next hour or so putting them back together, pausing only to fine-tune parts. The mood was upbeat and full of humor and excitement in anticipation of the race ahead. That night we explored a bit of San Jose - wandering through the streets, chatting with the locals and asking their advice on the best place to eat.
After translating and then following our hosts' directions through various alleys we wound up at - surprisingly enough- an Italian restaurant. Not quite where we were expecting to eat our first night in Costa Rica, but after a long day of travel, we were just happy to find good food. As it turned out, we weren't the only ones - the restaurant was packed with riders from the race. Good food and good company, what more can you ask for?
We woke Thursday to find the air full of energy in anticipation of the day's travel to the race course. As we waited to board the busses, riders talked and joked about each others' bikes, riding rituals and techniques. A truck arrived and race coordinators began to load, not unlike cattle, the thousands of dollars worth of bikes. Riders wore the expression of a worried parent as they watched their bikes disappear into the sea of frames and tires. That done, all the riders jumped in the tour bus for the trip to the Pacific Coast where the race will begin.
During the trip to the Coast, one of the race coordinators played tour guide - recounting the history of La Ruta, along with history and some local gossip about Costa Rica. Our "guide" joked with riders about the race. "I hope you all make it alive," he said as he made sure to point out all of the things to be worried about - from the searing heat, to the crocodile pits, to the active volcano that sits smack in the middle of the route.
We stopped on the way to view some lounging crocodiles, thinking how quickly the threat had become reality, as they sunned themselves on the banks of the largest river in Costa Rica. You could see the wheels spinning in the racers heads as they wondered if they would have to out-run these predators during the many river crossings they would encounter. One rider, in an attempt to be helpful, informed the group that zigzagging is the only way to outrun these beasts. A few other racers nodded in agreement as they added their tactics to the growing pot of "Crocodile Helpful Hints." Race veterans embellished a bit on their stories to add to the fear they saw in the eyes of some of the La Ruta "rookies."
We pulled into Punta Leona - where we would spend the last night before the start of La Ruta - ready for some R&R. Here racers were checked in and registered amid feelings of shared excitement and tension.
That night, everyone congregated for dinner in order to get in their carbo-charge and other vitals before their 3am wake-up call for a 5am race start, a full hour before sunrise.
— Courtesy, Back to the Earth Group